Sediment distribution and Cenozoic sedimentation patterns on the Agulhas Plateau

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1977 Sediment distribution and Cenozoic sedimentation patterns on the Agulhas Plateau BRIAN E. TUCHOLKE; BRIAN E. TUCHOLKE 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GEORGE B. CARPENTER GEORGE B. CARPENTER 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information BRIAN E. TUCHOLKE 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 GEORGE B. CARPENTER 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1977) 88 (9): 1337–1346. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1977)88<1337:SDACSP>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation BRIAN E. TUCHOLKE, GEORGE B. CARPENTER; Sediment distribution and Cenozoic sedimentation patterns on the Agulhas Plateau. GSA Bulletin 1977;; 88 (9): 1337–1346. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1977)88<1337:SDACSP>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Unconsolidated sediments on the Agulhas Plateau range in age from Maestrichian to Quaternary and consist of calcareous ooze. A composite sedimentary record from piston cores suggests three hiatuses in sedimentation which can be correlated with angular unconformities inferred from seismic profiles. These hiatuses encompass late Miocene–Pliocene, middle Oligocene, and late Paleocene–middle Eocene time and correlate with similar stratigraphic gaps widely distributed in Deep Sea Drilling Project boreholes. The deeper basins surrounding the plateau contain terrigenous and calcareous or siliceous hemipelagic sediments; sediment composition is controlled by depth and locality of deposition. Strong influence of bottom currents on sediment distribution during Cenozoic time is demonstrated by a well-developed erosional zone near 4,500-m depth around the plateau as well as by local erosion and sediment drifts on the plateau itself. The plateau can be divided into a northern and a southern province on the basis of differences in the nature of acoustic basement. Basement in the southern province is smooth with some faulting and contains weak internal reflectors unconformable with the basement surface; the reflectors may represent layered basalt flows or consolidated Mesozoic sediments deposited shortly after the formation of the plateau. Acoustic basement in the northern section is intensely faulted and shows no evidence of internal stratification. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.